Facts From Alabama Power President Charles McCrary

[Bama By Birth]

There are more than 10,000 Ala Power customers that can't recieve power. In many cases the home no longer exists.

More than 412,000 customers out at peak of storm.

More than 5,200 distribution poles broken or destroyed.

More than 400 transmission structures destroyed.

Over 300 substations lost power with 6 substations completely destroyed or suffered significant damage.

In many places the electrical system has been completely rebuilt- with very little to connect to.

 

[DrollTide]

Hats off to these guys. Worked so hard this last week.

Typical case: friend lives in north HSV near Mt Charron. No houses were heavily damaged but many poles and transformers came down. My friend said his neighborhood practically needed completely rerigging. A crew was there for 12 hours, planting poles and stringing lines.

 

[Tidefan7887]

Hats off to these guys. Worked so hard this last week.QUOTE]

I agree. The biggest catashrophe in Alabama history, and I don't know that they could have done better. Around the clock work and in just a weeks time to have that much power restored is outstanding IMO.

 

[Bama By Birth]

Hats off to these guys. Worked so hard this last week.QUOTE]

I agree. The biggest catashrophe in Alabama history, and I don't know that they could have done better. Around the clock work and in just a weeks time to have that much power restored is outstanding IMO.

Keep in mind that this is Alabama Power customers only. I bet you could double the distribution numbers on broke poles when you include EMC's and Co-Op's.

 

[AlistarWills]

Keep in mind that this is Alabama Power customers only. I bet you could double the distribution numbers on broke poles when you include EMC's and Co-Op's.

Exactly. I know of people in Cullman still without power and no known timeframe to get it. APCO is big enough to pull from areas that had no damage to supplement the work force in areas that was damaged. I do know that some of the local co-ops do borrow workers from other states but when you are a local county co-op, and most of what is in your county is damaged, you are basically screwed. Does anyone know if APCO still has/had the insurance policy on the infrastructure. Seems I remember they cashed in a policy back in '93 due to the snowstorm.

 

[Bama By Birth]

Exactly. I know of people in Cullman still without power and no known timeframe to get it. APCO is big enough to pull from areas that had no damage to supplement the work force in areas that was damaged. I do know that some of the local co-ops do borrow workers from other states but when you are a local county co-op, and most of what is in your county is damaged, you are basically screwed. Does anyone know if APCO still has/had the insurance policy on the infrastructure. Seems I remember they cashed in a policy back in '93 due to the snowstorm.

I believe most if not all are self-insured. I do know Southern Co. and all that are governed by a Public Service Commision in the Southeast put monies into a fund that is pooled together to help in catastrophic events such as this. It is done every year and keeps one operating company and it's customers from taking such a beating.

Some years you put in with nothing in return but when you need it, it is invaluable.

 

[BamaDude06]

Also keep in mind Alabama Power has had A LOT of help from other utility companies. I've seen Mississippi Power, Georgia Power, Gulf Power, Pike, and a few other companies whose names escape me. They ALL have done an amazing job to get everything rebuilt so quickly.